Can I be a referee for a candidate if I’m also on the panel?
Short answer: no. Longer answer: definitely no.
Serving as both panel member and referee for the same candidate is a direct, disqualifying conflict. The panel member’s role is to impartially compare all candidates. The referee’s role is to advocate for one. The two cannot be held by the same person in the same round.
This sounds obvious until it happens in practice. A candidate nominates their current manager as referee, not realising the manager has been nominated to the panel. A panel member is asked informally for a “quick reference” on someone they have worked with. Either scenario contaminates the process.
If you are on the panel, you cannot referee any candidate in that round. If you have been referenced by a candidate, step off the panel.